Thankful for Her: A Friends to Lovers Romance (Love Demands a Holiday Book 7)

by McKenna Rogue

  “I’m most thankful for Tru Manifold, the gorgeous woman who somehow deemed me worthy of more than just friendship.” He leaned over and kissed her hard. “I love you, my little devil.”

  She turned red, right to the roots of her blonde hair, but she smiled and stepped up to the microphone next to him. “I’m of course thankful for Brian. But I’m also thankful for the town, for Angela taking a chance on me. I love Jubilee Falls, and I love you, Brian Lowry. You crazy nut.”

  I grinned as they kissed and left the stage.

  It was only empty a second though, before someone else came up to share what they were thankful for.

  Aaron returned with a funnel cake. “Get it now?”

  “The whole town just gets together and shares what they’re thankful for? Big or small?” I took one of the paper cups he carried, so that he could sit down easier.

  “Not everyone. But it helps people get into the spirit, and sometimes helps inspire the feelings of gratitude in people who have lost it.” He smiled as he slid in next to me. “The town square stays set up like this all weekend, so that at any time, when someone feels inspired to share, they can do so. Whether that’s in the form of donations for charity, or in other ways.”

  I leaned my head on his shoulder as I stole a chunk of funnel cake. “You going to get up there?”

  “I don’t usually. It’s not really my thing. I prefer to keep my gratitude small, personal. Rather than sharing it to everyone in the world. Or even the town.”

  I glanced at him while I chewed the fried, sugary dough. The Aaron I knew at school was the popular guy, the guy everyone wanted to be friends with. He almost always had an audience of some sort, usually girls, hanging onto his every word. It seemed so counterintuitive that he wasn’t like that here.

  “Uh-oh. It looks like my sister’s here. And she’s not alone.”

  I followed his line of site to the tent opening, where his mother stood next to a tall, gorgeous woman who I assumed was Aaron’s sister, and another woman, this one shorter and with neon green hair.

  “She brought a guest.”

  “Seems that way.” Aaron got up and smirked. “Be careful with that punch, by the way. I don’t know what the ladies put in it, but it’ll probably burn some going down. I’m going to go say hi and let them know where we’re sitting.”

  I picked up the cup and took a sniff. It was almost strong enough to make my eyes water, and I hadn’t even sipped it yet. “Maybe I’ll skip it for now.”

  He shrugged. “Wait ‘til the rest of the Kings get over here. You might change your tune.”

  As he walked away, a group of people started cat-calling over by the stage, and I turned to see a tall blond man at the microphone, surrounded by a few other blonds near the base of the stage, and one curvy brunette who looked mortified.

  “Cassia Carter, I am so thankful that you spilled pumpkin spice all over me. That you crashed back into my life, and made me realize that living for myself, for the things I wanted, were so much more important than whatever plans Nash had for me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be working on Legions of Doom 2.” He hopped down and pulled the brunette into his arms, dipping her for a quick kiss. Or, at least, it started out quick.

  I blushed as I turned away, not wanting to horn in on their public display.

  But, Legions of Doom… Could he be Chris Davenport? I’d heard that the designer was born and raised in Jubilee Falls, some descendant of the founding family or something, but I never dreamed he would be here in town.

  I wondered if Aaron knew him. I loved that game—the way the characters were designed to look more like real people, especially the women, and the attention to detail on everything. It was my go-to massive multiplayer online game. Even Aaron had played with me a few times.

  “Syd, I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Sonia, and her girlfriend, Andi.” Aaron dropped down in the chair next to mine again as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and scooted closer. The heat of his body chased away the chill, and warmed other parts of my body.

  “Nice to meet you both.” I held out my hand and went to stand, to greet them properly, but Aaron’s grip was firm enough that I’d have to jerk away, which would’ve looked stranger than staying seated. “I didn’t know that you were bringing someone with you, Sonia.”

  “No one did. But Andi would’ve been all alone at school, and I couldn’t just leave her.”

  They kissed, and Aaron leaned over and whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here. If it weren’t for you, I’d be willing to bet I’d be stuck in a room with Sonia all weekend. Mom’s… not being as cool about her girlfriend as she is mine.”

  I shifted a little closer, leaning into the feigned intimacy. “Maybe we’ll have to play buffer a little bit. Try to keep things civil. At least your mom’s more open. Mine would’ve probably fainted if one of her kids came out.”

  He kissed my cheek and pulled me into his lap in a fast maneuver. “Are you still okay with this?”

  Being in his lap made my thighs quiver and my heart race. “Quit asking me that, King,” I hissed. “I’ll let you know if there’s something I can’t handle.”

  I liked having his arms wrapped around me, his hand low on my hip, as his warm, musky scent surrounded me. Probably too much, but I was going to enjoy it.

  Sonia and Andi could’ve started making out on the table like they were recreating a scene from Rent, and I would’ve missed it, with how closely Aaron held me.

  “So, how did the two of you meet?” Aaron’s hand slid up and down my hip, in a motion I was sure was meant to be reassuring but ended up feeling more intimate.

  “Andi’s a massage therapist near campus. Coach sent me to her when I strained my hamstrings on a dive. Won the game, stressed my muscles as I hit the court.” Sonia smiled at Andi, the same way the couples up at the microphone seemed to be looking at each other.

  It looked like the two of them might’ve been in love.

  “That’s so sweet. She helped you get back on your feet?”

  “Not at all. Andi took one look at me and refused to massage me. It took three visits with another therapist in her office before she admitted the reason she wouldn’t work on me was because she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her hands professional if she did.” Sonia leaned over and kissed Andi on her cheek. “Instead she asked me out on a date.”

  Aaron watched his sister for a second, and then said, “You look happy. No matter what Mom says.”

  “Mom doesn’t understand that straight, gay, or any other designation was never going to inspire having kids. I’m sorry that burden falls to you, but I don’t want kids. And regardless of what she or anyone thinks, that doesn’t make me a monster. What about you two? Last I heard, you were hung up on some girl who played video games all the time but wouldn’t look at you as anything more than a friend. You obviously got over her. How did you end up with someone who did want to be more than friends with your ugly mug?”

  The question was directed at Aaron, but it hit me hard. I wanted to look at him, study his reaction, but I was too afraid he’d see everything in my own gaze. And what if it wasn’t me she was talking about?

  Was he interested in more than just friendship? He’d never said anything, never made a move, never even insinuated that there might be something more there than being friendly.

  “Syd and I have known each other since Freshman year. Something just clicked, I guess, and I’m so glad it did.” He smiled at me, drawing me to look at him, his gaze so intense that I might as well have been the only person in the tent with him. He almost looked like he wanted to kiss me.

  Aaron’s mom broke the spell as she approached the table, and I slipped back onto my own chair as I picked up my paper cup and took a deep swig from it.

  “Okay, I’ve got Jubilee Punch for everyone, a caramel apple, and sliders from the food truck around the corner. Sonia, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Good god, Jubilee Punch tasted like the botto
m shelf of a bar, all poured into one glass. It burned going down, just like Aaron said it would, and nearly had my eyes watering.

  But it cleared my head. Sonia must’ve been mistaken. Or there must’ve been some other gamer girl Aaron was hung up on.

  There was no way it could’ve been me. Right?

  3

  AARON

  I could kill Sonia.

  It was bad enough she surprised Mom with her girlfriend. A girlfriend none of us even knew she had. Mom’s religious upbringing was getting in her way. She was trying to be open and happy for her children, but I think she worried too much about everything. And was unsure of what all she needed to worry about.

  But to out my feelings in front of Sydney? Something I’d confessed to her when I was feeling low and angsty. It was right before I met Amanda. I realized more and more I’d gone out with Amanda to try and keep my mind off my best friend who was dating some blowhole at the time. I hated seeing them together.

  At least Sydney didn’t seem to realize who Sonia was talking about. I hoped.

  As soon as I could, I led Syd away from the tent where my family was.

  “I’m sorry tonight’s been so awkward.”

  “It’s not so bad. Everyone’s been nice enough. I’m sure it’s just going to take some getting used to.” Syd slipped her hand into mine, squeezing my fingers as we walked. “It’s not like your parents are disowning Sonia for who she chooses to date or trying to convert her back to being straight. It’ll take some time, but I have a feeling everything’s going to be just fine.”

  “I hope so. I know Mom just wants us to be happy. And Sonia really does seem happy with Andi. More herself, for sure.” I squeezed her hand and smiled. “You know, no one’s around. You don’t have to hold my hand.”

  “We’re in the middle of town square. I’ve seen enough TV and movies to know that there’s bound to be at least one gossip queen in this small town, who would blab to your parents if we didn’t look the part of the happy couple.”

  I slipped my hand from hers and pulled her closer so that I could drape my arm over her shoulders. “Then you should know, I’m not a hand holder. I’d much rather keep you close to my side.”

  She shifted a little, almost as if she was making herself comfortable. “What else do we do here at the Cornucopia Festival?”

  “This is about it. Eat, drink, socialize. We could ride a couple rides if you want, but it’s getting a little cold for anything other than the carousel.”

  “What about the Ferris wheel?” She pointed to the looming wheel still circling slowly up into the sky.

  “Tell you what. How about tomorrow or Friday night, we’ll come back, I’ll bring a blanket, and we can ride that one? I wouldn’t want you getting cold, and the wind can be brutal that high this time of year. You get cold in the summertime.”

  Sydney smiled. “You’ll ride it with me?”

  “Of course. What kind of fake boyfriend would I be if I didn’t?” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

  I wanted to kiss her lips. To pull her into my arms and kiss her squarely on her berry colored mouth. To drop the fake part of the relationship altogether.

  But Sydney was still just my friend. I had to remember that. It seemed to get harder and harder with each passing moment with her. I felt so comfortable and at home with her. I didn’t want to go back; I wanted to move forward with her.

  “What about that photo booth? We could play it up for the camera, really look like a couple in love.” She grabbed my hand again and pulled me toward the box before I had a chance to argue.

  The booth was cramped, leaving the only viable place for Syd to sit on my lap.

  She pressed against me; her arm wrapped around my shoulder as she reached forward to put money into the machine.

  “Okay, don’t forget, we’re happily dating.” She shifted slightly, so that she was closer.

  Just as the camera flashed, I leaned in and kissed her.

  Brushing my lips against hers in such a fleeting kiss shouldn’t have affected me the way it did. And for the briefest of moments, I thought I felt her shiver in my arms.

  After just one taste, I wanted more.

  Hell, I wanted to press her against the wall of the booth and kiss her until she was moaning my name and tearing at my clothes to get me naked.

  The next three frames of our photos were done in a blur, but somehow, she managed to pull off exactly what she suggested—a happy couple, that looked completely in love.

  “Okay, what do you say we spend a little more time here, maybe ride the carousel, and then we’ll leave these photos somewhere where your parents will find them. Maybe the kitchen table?”

  I chuckled. “Have you done this before?”

  “Honestly…” Syd looked down at her feet. “I’m making it all up as I go along. I haven’t really dated much.”

  “You were with that guy for a while.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Which guy?”

  “That one you were dating when I started seeing Amanda. I can’t remember the douc-dude’s name.”

  “That guy? I went on like three dates with him. We met online. It was a total whim and we decided there wasn’t much chemistry between us. I’ve had plenty of two to three dates but never a six-month relationship at least not since high school.”

  “Well, you’re very good at all of this.” I pulled her in close, wrapping my arms around her, my hands settling on her hips. “A little diabolical, even.”

  She chuckled, her eyes locked in on mine. “It’s not that hard. I mean, you’re a great guy. What woman wouldn’t want to date you? And besides, I know you. It’s easy to make you look good.”

  God, I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to change the nature of our relationship to something more than friendship. It would be stupid. It would be a catastrophe. It would be Heaven. I couldn’t take it anymore. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers.

  Syd tensed for a moment, just long enough that I worried I’d made a horrible mistake. But then, she softened. Her lips molded against mine as she rose up on her toes, her arms sliding up around my neck as she opened her mouth just slightly, enough for me to be able to slide my tongue along the seam of her mouth. Her lips parted and our tongues tangled, but it was brief.

  Syd moaned as she pulled back. Her eyes were dilated, and her mouth was parted as she panted a little. “Aaron, what the hell was that?”

  “I, uh…” I cleared my throat, trying to rid some of the huskiness there, “thought I saw my dad coming.”

  I wrapped my arm around her shoulders again and steered her back toward my car. “Let’s head home. I brought my computer home; we can play Legions of Doom, if you want.”

  “You know me so well.” She grinned as she leaned into me, wrapping her arm around my waist. “But I’m kinda tired. I think I’d rather just crash.”

  I had no idea how I was going to have her in my bed and not want to touch her.

  But I was going to give it my best shot.

  Suddenly, those pillow barriers in romantic comedies made perfect sense.

  Sydney Park, apparently, slept in the world’s tiniest shorts and a tank top that left nothing to my overactive imagination. She turned off the light and we were cloaked in darkness.

  I, however, was having a harder time with it. A much harder time. I only had a full-sized bed, which was roomy, but not roomy enough to not feel her body next to mine. Her bare thigh grazed mine, her hand brushed against my side. All of it was driving me crazy and I just wanted to pull her against me.

  “Why are you still awake?” she asked turning on the lamp on the nightstand. “We’re supposed to be sleeping.”

  I closed my eyes as the dim light filled the room. Once my eyes adjusted, I licked my lips and swallowed slowly before I answered. “Syd, how much of tonight was you pretending?”

  “What do you mean?” There was hesitation in her voice, her eyes not quite meeting mine.

  I rolled onto my side and propped my head up on
my hand. “It just seemed like you were into me tonight.” I shook my head. I was being stupid. I was the one who held her and kissed her. “You know what, just forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  She blinked a couple of times before she reached up and pressed her palm to my chest. “Aaron, I like you. You’re my best friend. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.” She shifted a little closer. “But when you kissed me… I don’t know. I didn’t want you to stop.”

  “And now?” I could hardly breathe.

  “Now, I wish we weren’t in your parents’ house, in your old room. I wish we weren’t wearing so many clothes. I wish I’d said something three years ago, when I first realized I had a thing for you, rather than watching you date one dumb girl after another.” She hooked her leg over my hip. “I’m the girl, aren’t I?”

  Of course, she knew it was her Sonia referenced earlier. She wasn’t stupid. My hand slid onto her hip. “You always have been. Sonia shouldn’t have said anything. There’s no way she could’ve known…” I traced my fingers up and down her spine. “I never thought this was a possibility, though. I figured you just wanted to be friends.”

  “I thoughts that all you wanted,” she murmured.

  “What do you want…”

  She silenced me with a kiss.

  The kiss wasn’t anything like the ones we shared before. It was hard, intense, and said sex with every touch and move. Her body arched against mine, her fingers digging into my skin, her leg pulling me closer to her.

  My cock was on board and ready, regardless of the fact that my parents were down the hall, and my sister and her girlfriend were sharing our wall.

  I pulled back with a groan, burying my face in my pillow. I couldn’t catch my breath and body twitched with the ache of needing more.

  “Aaron…?”

  “Yeah?” I mumbled against the pillow.

  “Do you think, maybe, we could kiss some more?”

  I chuckled and peeked out at her with one eye. “If I keep kissing you, Syd, I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop.”